Method of and converter for bessemerizing



July 1, 1930. E. I. WILLIAMS 1,753,649

METHOD OF AND CONVERTER FOR BESSEHERIZING Filed April 22, 1929 INVENTOR' EdwamZL'wUiia/ms Patented July 1, 1930 wrLLiai/is, or Germanium METHOD or AND convnnrnaron Bnssniuna'izrire' Application filed April 22,

The present invention relates to improvements in inetallurgic converters and method of operating same. More particularly the invention relates to improvements in converters for bessemerizing copper-bearing material and to their operation, whereby the life of the is prolonged.

In the bessemerizing of copper matte in a basic-lined converter, it has been found that "i; the operation is attended by the erosion of penses due to repairs and increasing the effec-tive operating life and output of the converter.

This end is attained by the alternate use of two sets of tuyeres disposed on opposite 5 sides of the converter in such relative relation one to the other that the erosion which takes place adjacent the one set during operation thereof is compensated for by the accretions which build up in such eroded zone during the operation of the other set of tuyeres.

In the accompanying drawin s, which illustrate diagrammatically the preferred embodiment of the invention:

Fig. 1 is an end elevation of the converter;

Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the converter taken through the charging and discharging opening; and

Fig. 8 is a section on a larger scale of a portion of the converter at one of the tuyeres.

Referring to the drawings, the converter has the usual cylindrical metal body or shell 1, equipped with rings 2, that rest upon rollers 3, to support the vessel and allow for axial turning as may be necessary during treatment. 01"- the charge. The shell is provided with a continuous lining 4 of suitable material. The tuyeres 5 of one set are arranged in a longitudinal series according to conventional practice at one side of the shell the shell from the tuyeres 5.

1929i Serial no. asigoco.

and aresuitably connected to'an'ai'r blast dis tributing p'ipe'G to'which air is supplied from a hea'd'er'QL The'v'alve? provides-a means for shuttingfotf' the air" supply fromthe tuyeres 5 when these tuyere's are not in use; 1

These'tuye'res 5 ofa' second set are'arranged in a longitudinal series on the opposite side of They are'als'o' connected to' an' air'blast distributing pipe 6* flow through which may be shut off by thevalve 7 whenthe tuyeres 5 are not in use. The headers 9 and 9 are shown as connected to a common air last duct 11, The air distribut'ing pipes 6 and (S are U-shaped and connected at both ends to their respective headers, thus promotingsupp'ly of air to all of the tuyeres of each setund'ersubstantially the same pressure. I I,

Fig. 3 shows a plug of'clay 12 inserted in one-of the tuyeres 5. These plugs serve to prevent the molten material of the charge trom'enteringthe tuyeres of the set which is not "in use. An opening normally closed by a capfor other suitable closure 13 is provided P at-the rear end of each tuyere topermit of access thereto'for forcing ordrilling out the clay. plug when it is desired to change from one set of tuyeres to the other. i

In determining the relative positions of the two sets of tuyeres, the second set is positioned at'or adjacent that zone in the wall of the converter opposite the first set upon which it has been proven, by previous ex; perience with the materialto be bessemerized, thataccretions' form during operation of the first set.

My using the two sets of tuyeres alternately the building up of one side and the burn- 7 ing out or eroding of the other will be controll-d,- thus extending the'life of the lining 0 very materially. Thein-terval necessary before transferring from one set of tuyeres to the other will depend upon how fast the erosion-of thelining atand above the tuyeres.

in use and the building up on the lining at and, 9

above thetuyer'es not in use takes place. Thistime will'depend' upon the material treatd in the 'converterwhether matte or a miXtur'e of matte and concentrate and on the temperatures involved. It is possible that a change from one set of tuyeres to the other once a month will be suflicient.

In the form of the converter shown in the drawing, which is particularly adapted for use in treating copper matte and other copper-bearing materials, the converter will ordinarily be rotated to a position such that the imaginary line A-.A will assume a vertical position when the tuyeres 5 are in operation, and, vice versa, when the tuyeres 5 are brought into operation the converter will be rotated to the left until the line BB approaches a vertical position.

When it is desired to use the second set of tuyeres, the ones then in use should be plugged with clay, for example, their air inlet valve closed and the second set of tuyeres drilled out and their air inlet valve opened.

It is desirable that the converter be so arranged as to permit charging and discharging on either side dependent on which set of tuyeres is in use. If it is not possible to make such an arrangement, provision may be made for turning the converter end for end so that charging and discharging can always take place on the same side regardless of which set of tuyeres is in use.

I claim:

1. In the operation of metallurgic converters, the method of preserving the lining which consists in alternately conducting the air blast first through one series of tuyeres and second through another series of tuyeres disposed on the opposite side of the converter.

2. In the bessemerizing of copper matte in converters, the method of preserving the lining which consists in alternately conducting the air blast first through one series of tuyeres and second through another series of tuyeres disposed on the opposite side of the converter.

3. In the bessemerizing of copper-bearing material in converters, the method of preserving the lining which consists in alternately conducting the air blast first through one series of tuyeres and second through another series of tuyeres disposed on the opposite side of the converter.

4. In the operation of metallurgic converters, the method of preserving the lining which consists in alternately conducting the air blast first through one set of tuyeres until the lining has become eroded adjacent thereto, and then through another set of tuyeres and causing the building up of accretions on the eroded portion of the lining by the influence of the blast from the second set of tuyeres.

5. In the operation of metallurgic converters, the method of preserving the lining which comprises bessemerizing by introducing air under pressure until a zone 01"- the converter wall under the influence thereof has become eroded, and then causing the building up of accretions on the eroded zone v April, 1929.

EDWARD I. WILLIAMS. 

